Prey

StarClan must have shared their wisdom with this article, because it was previously featured on the front page.

"It is a sign. StarClan gives our prey to us, and StarClan can take it away. We should give thanks to our warrior ancestors that we are able to eat at all. They provide every mouthful as well as our ability to hunt and feed ourselves. From the next Gathering, there will be an addition to the warrior code. Prey must be killed only to be eaten, and we must give thanks to StarClan for its life. This is the way of the warrior."

— Lilystar about the importance of prey in Code of the Clans, page 47

Prey, or fresh-kill^[1], is a Clan term for the animals, both large and small, that are caught for the purpose of consumption.^[2]

Details

The importance of eating is something that all of the Clans are concerned about every single day.^[3] They eat to keep up strength and maintain the health of the Clan as a whole.^[4] Each of the Clans have a hunting specialty, due to the terrain they are familiar with and the traditions the cats are raised by.^[5]

Many different species of prey are hunted by the warrior cats.^[6] Usually, after killing prey, a cat will give thanks to StarClan for its life,^[7] and will bury it to keep it safe from other predators until they are ready to carry it back to camp.^[8] The remains (i.e. the bones, feathers, fur) are usually buried.^[9]

Cats will not kill prey only for fun, without the intention of using it to feed oneself, or the Clan, as this is part of the warrior code.^[10] It is also in the warrior code that the hunters may not eat until they have caught prey for the rest of the Clan.^[11] Traditionally, the weaker cats will be fed before the apprentices and warriors.^[12] The leader or deputy of a Clan must send more patrols before the cold weather strikes.^[13] In leaf-bare, prey is much harder to find than in any other season.^[14]

Crowfood

"Crowfood" is the Clan term for prey that has left to become rotten and unfit to eat.^[15] Prey typically is considered crowfood after about one or two days since it was killed.^[16] Clan cats will occasionally eat crowfood if they are desperate and starving,^[17] but they avoid it as much as possible as it usually causes bellyaches or more severe illnesses.^[18] The word "crowfood" is also used as an insult, as in "Shut up, you mangy piece of crowfood."^[19]

In the old forest, a source of crowfood was Carrionplace, where rotten prey could always be found, but it was known to carry sickness.^[16] However, when ShadowClan was led by Brokenstar, his warriors sometimes resorted to eating it, as at the time, the warriors were used for fighting, not hunting. Crowfood is also known as carrion.^[20]

List of prey animals

Amphibians

Frogs

Frog Description: Leathery gray-green or gray-brown amphibians with powerful hind legs, a small brown patch by each eye and leathery skin. About 6 cm (two to three inches) in length.[21] Only eaten by ShadowClan.[22] Highest level of classification: Order: Anura Book mentions: Crookedstar's Promise, Yellowfang's Secret, Forest of Secrets, Midnight, Starlight, The Sight, Night Whispers, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Warrior's Refuge, Into the Woods, Tigerclaw's Fury, Moth Flight's Vision

• Starlight - Littlecloud comments on his hunger and wouldn't mind eating a frog or a toad. That causes the other medicine cats to stare at him in surprise, but Littlecloud defends himself, saying, "They don't taste that bad!"^[23]
• Tigerclaw's Fury - Tangleburr catches a brace of frogs for ShadowClan.^[24]
• Secrets of the Clans - During the tour of the old ShadowClan camp, Boulder says to the reader "Oh, I see you've spotted a frog. I know they look pretty unappetizing - trust me, I was as reluctant as you to try them when I first came to the forest. But you should try them. Peel off the skin first - that's very chewy. Underneath, it tastes like if you mixed rabbits and fish together."^[25]
• Into the Woods - Sasha watches a ShadowClan patrol consisting of Tigerstar, Rowanpaw, and Jaggedtooth chasing a frog. Rowanpaw comments that they're nasty, but Tigerstar says that distasteful or not, prey is prey.^[26]
• Yellowfang's Secret - Yellowkit unsuccessfully tries to get Silverflame to eat her favorite kind of prey, frog.^[27]

Toads

Toad Description: Greenish-brown amphibians with a heavy, rounded shape, thick legs and warty skin. Three to five inches long.[28] Highest level of classification: Order: Anura Book mentions: Starlight, Moth Flight's Vision

• Starlight - Littlecloud comments on his hunger and wouldn't mind eating a toad or a frog. The other medicine cats exclaim in surprise, but Littlecloud defends himself, saying, "They don't taste that bad!"^[29]

Avians

Eagles

Eagle Description: Large size, powerful build, heavy back and beak, keen eyesight and broad wings. About 1 meter long.[30] They have sharp, curved talons.[31] Favored prey for The Tribe of Rushing Water.[32] Highest level of classification: Family: Accipitridae Book mentions: Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Sunset, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Fading Echoes, Sign of the Moon, The Forgotten Warrior, The Last Hope, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Battles of the Clans, The Ultimate Guide, The Sun Trail, Thunder Rising, The First Battle, The Blazing Star, A Forest Divided, Path of Stars, Moth Flight's Vision

• Moonrise - Stormfur almost gets caught by an eagle as he jumps across a gap on the way to the Tribe of Rushing Water.^[33]
• Dawn - Marshkit almost gets taken by an eagle, but Brackenfur saves him by clawing at the bird until it loosens its grip.^[34]
• Outcast - As Jaypaw crosses a gap on the way to the Tribe, an eagle screech startles him. Pebble tells the cats that only cave-guards know how to fight attacking eagles.^[35]
• Sign of the Moon- Swoop of Chestnut Hawk is carried away and killed by an eagle. Dovewing is especially shaken.^[36]
• The Sun Trail - The Tribes are known for hunting eagles, but in one incident, Bright Stream is carried away by an eagle while following the sun trail, and Clear Sky is devastated.^[37]

Hawks

Hawk Description: Smaller than eagles. Have impressive eyesight and curved talons. About one foot tall. [38] Highest level of classification: Order: Accipitriformes Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, A Dangerous Path, Moonrise, Dawn, Outcast, Sign of the Moon, The Sun Trail, Cats of the Clans, Battles of the Clans

• A Dangerous Path - Snowkit is taken by a hawk flying over ThunderClan camp searching for prey. His mother, Speckletail, was unable to free him from the hawk's talons.^[39]
• Moonrise - Crag teaches Stormfur how to hunt hawks by saving him from one.^[40] Later, Stormfur catches a hawk to share with the other travelers.^[41] It is noted that the hawk chicks are taken prey in the season of "freed-water"^[42]
• Dawn - When all the Clans are starving, Tornear reports that Crowpaw had captured a hawk a few days ago.^[43]
• The Sun Trail - Gray Wing and Clear Sky together bring down a hawk, ^[44] and drag it back to the cave for the others to eat.^[45]

Falcons

Falcon Description: Small fast birds of prey- speed is faster than that of a hawk's. Have tapered wings with a wide wingspan for flying. Length varies from species to species: from 25 cm to 65 cm.[46] Most commonly taken piece of prey by the Tribe of Rushing Water. Highest level of classification: Genus: Falco Book mentions: Moonrise, Dawn

• Moonrise - Brook is chasing a mouse when a falcon gets it before her. A second prey-hunter jumps in, and the two catch the falcon and kill it before it swoops away.^[47]
• Dawn - As the Clans are journeying through the mountains, they try to find the Tribe. Suddenly, they see a falcon feasting on a shrew. Three mud-streaked cats jump out at the falcon and kill it, and the Clans find the Tribe.^[48]

Finches

Finch Description: A common type of songbird. About 10 cm in length. Have strong stubby beaks and are pretty and colorful.[49] Often caught by ThunderClan. Highest level of classification: Family: Fringillidae Book mentions: Crookedstar's Promise, Into the Wild

• Into the Wild - When Firepaw and Graypaw are hunting, Graypaw is seen wolfing down a finch.^[50]
• Crookedstar's Promise - Sedgepaw catches her first prey: a finch. She stares at it on the fresh-kill pile for a long time, waiting quite a while for someone to eat it.^[51]

Thrushes

Thrush Description: Songbird. Soft-plumaged, small to medium sized birds, about 20 cm in length.[52] Highest level of classification: Family: Turdidae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, Dawn, Starlight, Sunset, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, The Fourth Apprentice, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Battles of the Clans

• Rising Storm - Fireheart catches a thrush, plus a rabbit for the two ShadowClan cats, Littlecloud and Whitethroat, when they come to beg for help.^[53]
• Forest of Secrets - Fireheart and Brackenpaw are hunting when Fireheart sees a thrush. Unfortunately, Brackenpaw calls out to him about ShadowClan invaders and the thrush flies away.^[54]
• Dark River - Cinderpaw covers for Lionpaw by saying he ate a stale thrush.^[55] Later, Whitewing is seen carrying a plump thrush back from a hunting patrol.^[56]

Sparrows

Sparrow Description: Small and plump brown-gray songbirds with short tails and stubby yet powerful beaks. About 14 cm in length.[57] Highest level of classification: Family: Passeridae Book mentions: Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Rising Storm, Dawn, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Night Whispers, Ravenpaw's Farewell

• Fire and Ice - Cinderpaw is seen chatting enthusiastically with Brackenpaw who nods from time to time while plucking the feathers from a sparrow.^[6]
• Rising Storm - Fireheart walks over to Brightpaw to see if she brought any food for the elders yet. When asked if she caught much, Brightpaw shyly replies that she caught two sparrows and a squirrel. Impressed, Fireheart praises her.^[58]

Crows

Crow Description: Long-legged scavenging birds with a completely black body, a thick neck and a heavy, straight bill. 40-50 cm in length.[59] Considered very difficult to catch.[60] Highest level of classification: Genus: Corvus Book mentions: Into the Wild, Dark River

• Into the Wild - Ravenpaw catches an old, yet big, crow, impressing Tigerclaw.^[61]
• Dark River - Brackenfur catches a crow after Hollypaw questions him about the new kits in ShadowClan and whether she would be able to fight them in battle.^[62]

Pigeons and doves

Pigeon/Dove Description: Stout-bodied birds with short necks, short, slender bills. About 32 cm in length.[63] Highest level of classification: Family: Columbidae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Tigerclaw's Fury, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, Starlight, The Sight, Outcast, Eclipse, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, The Last Hope, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Into the Woods, Moth Flight's Vision

• Into the Wild - Firepaw hunts a pigeon, but then it is time to go. He wistfully looks back at the pigeon while walking back.^[50]
• Tigerclaw's Fury - Cedarheart and the other elders of ShadowClan share a pigeon that Tigerclaw and his rogues bring to camp.^[64]
• Rising Storm - Cloudpaw kills a pigeon before Fireheart is able to, making Fireheart somewhat annoyed; Cloudpaw also mistakes the pigeon for a dove.^[65] Cloudpaw catches another pigeon, but forgets to bring it back from where it was buried. When interrogated by Fireheart, Cloudpaw says that some owl probably flew off with it.^[66]
• A Dangerous Path - On a patrol, Whitestorm spots pigeon feathers scattered all over the ground. When he reports to Fireheart, he adds that the place reeked of dogs. Fireheart dismisses it, and says it isn't important.^[67]
• The Last Hope - A pigeon caught by Berrynose is put on the fresh-kill pile. Graystripe eyes it hopefully but is advised by Firestar to go hunting to get some exercise. Whitewing then jokes about Graystripe looking like the pigeon.^[68]

Starlings

Starling Description: Black feathers with iridescent markings, bright yellow beaks. About 25 cm in length.[69] Highest level of classification: Family: Sturnidae Book mentions: Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, The Fourth Apprentice, Night Whispers, Secrets of the Clans

• Forest of Secrets - Fireheart is seen waking up late and choosing a starling, one of the last pieces, from the fresh-kill pile.^[70]
• Rising Storm - Cloudpaw runs past a small group of starlings, and the birds scurry upward in a flutter of wings.^[71]
• Midnight - Cloudtail feasts on a starling, happy there is good food even though prey is so scarce.^[72] Later, Brambleclaw gulps down a starling as Squirrelpaw asks him if he's had any more dreams from StarClan.^[73]

Magpies

Magpie Description: Black and white birds that are related to crows. Very intelligent.[74] About 20-30 cm in length.[75] Often killed by ThunderClan. Highest level of classification: Family: Corvidae Book mentions: Crookedstar's Promise, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Moonrise, Sunset, Secrets of the Clans

• Crookedstar's Promise - A magpie knocks Stormkit out of a tree. Later, Shellheart organizes a patrol to catch it.^[76]
• Forest of Secrets - Cinderpaw offers to take Bluestar some fresh-kill and she grabs a magpie. Upon lifting the bird off of the fresh-kill pile, its flesh falls away to reveal that it is covered with maggots.^[77]
• A Dangerous Path - Fireheart picks a magpie from the fresh-kill pile while inviting Cloudpaw to come on a patrol with him.^[78] When Fireheart comes back from the patrol he recalls that eating the magpie seemed like a long time ago.^[79]

Pheasants

Pheasant Description: Large birds. Highly ornate with bright colors, wattles and long tails. About one meter in length.[80] Highest level of classification: Subfamily: Phasianinae Book mentions: Return to the Clans, Dawn, Sunrise, Mapleshade's Vengeance

• Dawn - Shrewpaw chases after a pheasant over a Thunderpath, knowing that such a large bird would feed the Clan very well, and he is hit and killed by a monster. Thornclaw, Shrewpaw's mentor, explains this to Firestar when he returns to camp.^[81]
• Sunrise - Brambleclaw disturbs a pheasant while leading the patrol back from the sun-drown-place. The pheasant flies out of a patch of bracken and lets out an alarm call, and scares a squirrel out of the undergrowth.^[82]
• Mapleshade's Vengeance - Rabbitfur recalls a time he and Birchface were stalking a pheasant by Twolegplace.^[83]

Wrens

Wren Description: Medium to very small songbirds (about 15cm in length). Colors of their plumage can be gray, brown, black and white.[84] Highest level of classification: Family: Troglodytidae Book mentions: The Sight, Dark River

• The Sight - Jaykit smelled out a wren with a belly alive with maggots in the fresh-kill pile and shows it to Leafpool, who praises him for finding it.^[85]
• Dark River - When it suddenly starts raining, Hollypaw and Cinderpaw are caught in surprise. They skid in the rain, picking a wren and a mouse from the fresh-kill pile and Cinderpaw grimaces at the muddy wren.^[86]

Moorhens

Moorhen Description: Medium sized water birds (about 35cm in length). Mostly brown and black with some white markings. Have rounded wings. Weak fliers but fast runners and swimmers.[87] Highest level of classification: Genus: Gallinula Book mentions: Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, The Forgotten Warrior

• Crookedstar's Promise - While Crookedstar walks along the river, he sees fish near the surface and spiky footprints where a moorhen had walked.^[88]
• Bluestar's Prophecy - Bluefur spots a moorhen snuffling among roots of a tree. She strikes at it, and Oakheart shows up to praise her.^[89]
• Firestar's Quest - After the flood, Firestar and Sandstorm continue along the river searching for the Gorge. They see many remnants of the flood including moorhens squawking miserably for lost chicks.^[90]

Blackbirds

Blackbird Description: Have glossy black plumage, a long tail, blackish-brown legs, an orange eye ring and an orange-yellow beak. About 26 cm in length.[91] Often caught by ThunderClan. Highest level of classification: Species: T. merula Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Forest of Secrets, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Dawn, Twilight, Sunset, Dark River, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, Code of the Clans, Battles of the Clans

• Forest of Secrets - Brackenpaw tries to catch a blackbird, but it senses him and flutters upward. Fortunately, Brackenpaw leaps up and catches it, but not with good technique. Fireheart cheers him up about it, and they go back to camp.^[92] Later, Sandstorm is seen eating a blackbird from the fresh-kill pile.^[93]
• A Dangerous Path - Whitestorm comments that apprentices can go on a dawn patrol and then off hunting. He mentions wishing that he had that energy, and then settles to eat a blackbird.^[94]
• The Darkest Hour - When Mistyfoot and Stonefur tell ThunderClan that Bluestar was their mother, the Clan is shocked, and the silence is only broken by the call of a blackbird.^[95]
• Fading Echoes- When Blossompaw and Ivypaw are hunting together, and Blossompaw catches a blackbird, and Ivypaw thinks that Hawkfrost would have sneered at such a clumsy catch.^[95]

Chickens

Chicken Description: Normally shades of brown, white, or black plumage. Red markings on the head.Have red wattles the underside of the neck, close to the bill. About 30 cm long.[96] Often caught by rogues or loners. Highest level of classification: Subspecies: Gallus gallus domesticus Book mentions: Shattered Peace, The Heart of a Warrior, The Rise of Scourge, SkyClan's Destiny, Bramblestar's Storm, Hawkwing's Journey

• Shattered Peace - Willie, Minty, Tess, Snapper, and Pounce come into the barn where Ravenpaw and Barley live. After the barn catches fire, Ravenpaw and Barley find Willie, Tess, Snapper and Pounce in the rafters above the chicken house. Willie sneers at them and they attack the chickens, killing some chicks.^[97]
• The Heart of a Warrior - When the ThunderClan group tries to attack the rogues, the chickens notice and give out an alarm, thinking that they're part of the rogues as well.^[98]
• The Rise of Scourge - Tiny was offered chicken by an old she-cat, who comments that she is surprised he doesn't know what it is, since he's a kittypet. He describes it as the most delicious thing he has ever eaten.^[99]
• SkyClan's Destiny - On the patrol where they discover the pile where the rats are living, Cora finds some chicken and offers it to the Clan. She soon eats it.^[100]
• Bramblestar's Storm - When asking to stay with ThunderClan for one more night, Minty mentions that Purdy would tell her a story about a blind chicken.^[101]
• Hawkwing's Journey - During Skyclan's journey Hawkwing and Pebbleshine are searching for food when they come across a truck carrying cages of chickens. But when they are trying to get the chickens out of the cages to bring them back to the clan the truck starts to drive off with Pebbleshine in the back leaving Hawkwing distraught.^[102]

Robins

Robin Description: Songbird with a reddish-brown breast, brown underparts. Sometimes jet-black to gray. Mostly yellow-brown bill. About 35 cm long.[103] Highest level of classification: Genus: Turdus Book mentions: Into the Wild, Starlight, Dark River, Night Whispers, The Sun Trail

• Into the Wild - When Smudge talks about Henry, he mentions that Henry caught a robin in the woods. Also, Smudge says that baby robins were out stretching their wings, after which Rusty asks if he caught any.^[104]
• Starlight - A hunting patrol starts to leave when Birchkit says he wants to come too, as he's good at hunting. To prove it, he jumps at a robin at the edge of the hollow. Brambleclaw and Dustpelt lunge for him, and Brambleclaw catches him first.^[105]
• Dark River - When it suddenly starts raining, Stormfur and Brook are seen crouched below the Highledge sharing a soggy robin.^[106]
• The Sun Trail - When Petal and Fox are hunting, a robin starts singing in a tree, and Petal thinks about how she hates bullies and robins. She then unsuccessfully attempts to catch it. ^[107]

Wagtails

Wagtail Description: Small, often colorful birds with long tails, which wag frequently. About 16-19 cm in length.[108] Highest level of classification: Genus: Motacilla Book mentions: Dark River

• Dark River - Lionpaw is hunting with Ashfur. Ashfur scolds Lionpaw when he had missed the wagtail that had escaped his paw. It flies onto a branch above the training hollow before calling in alarm and flying away.^[109]

Lapwings

Lapwings Description: About 25 cm - 41cm long. They are very protective of their young. Their enemies are mainly weasels who hunt their young. Mainly found on the moors. They make their nests in clumps of heather. Highest level of classification: Genus: Vanellus Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Moth Flight's Vision

• Tallstar's Revenge - Plumclaw is eating with Tallkit, and mentions lapwings to be her favorite, however, they are only hunted for in the breeding season.^[110]
• Tallstar's Revenge - Tallpaw watches as lapwings swoop down in the heather protecting their young.^[111]

Eggs

Eggs Description: Unborn birds, found in nests protected by adult birds.[112] Highest level of classification: Genus: Various Book mentions: Sign of the Moon, Code of the Clans, Ravenpaw's Farewell

• Sign of the Moon - Stoneteller ends all border patrols, angrily pointing out that with the coming thaw the Tribe will be able to eat eggs and young birds stolen from nests despite the intruders stealing their other prey. This suggests that eggs and chicks are only stolen in times of greatest need.^[113]
• Code of The Clans - The ancient WindClan apprentice Quickpaw is mentioned to have a knack for tracking and carefully recovering plover eggs.^[114]
• Ravenpaw's Farewell - Ravenpaw, Bella, and Riley eat some eggs on their journey to SkyClan.^[115]

Fish

Fish Description: Many different species such as trout, minnow, salmon, pike, or carp.[116] Main prey of RiverClan, this diet makes their fur repel water.[117] Highest level of classification: Phylum: Chordata Book mentions: Yellowfang's Secret, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, Dark River, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Sign of the Moon, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Battles of the Clans, Warrior's Refuge, Warrior's Return, Escape from the Forest, Return to the Clans, Moth Flight's Vision

• Forest of Secrets - The fish in the river become poisoned from Twoleg rubbish and trash, and RiverClan begins to starve.^[118]
• A Dangerous Path - Graystripe catches a slippery silver fish from the river and gives it to Fireheart and Sandstorm, saying they will need prey after the fire.^[119] When they come back from the patrol, Fireheart brings the fish to Cinderpelt.^[79]
• Midnight - Feathertail catches shiny golden fish from a Twoleg garden pond during the journey to Midnight. These fish are quite unlike any other fish the Clan cats have seen before.^[120]

Trout

Trout Description: A large fish[121] Highest level of classification: Phylum: Chordata Book mentions: Mistystar's Omen, Moth Flight's Vision, Crookedstar's Promise

Carp

Carp Description: A large fish[121] Highest level of classification: Phylum: Chordata Book mentions: Mistystar's Omen, Ravenpaw's Farewell, Crookedstar's Promise

Minnows

Minnow Description: A tiny fish[122] Highest level of classification: Phylum: Chordata Book mentions: Mistystar's Omen, Crookedstar's Promise,Hollyleaf's Story

Chub

Chub Description: Chub is a common fish name. It pertains to any one of a number of ray-finned fish in several families and genera[source?] Highest level of classification: Phylum: Chordata Book mentions: Moth Flight's Vision

Mammals

Bat

Bat Description: Small furry animals with large ears and whose forelimbs form webbed wings. Only mammal capable of true flight. Range of different lengths- smallest bat is 29mm long.[123] Highest level of classification: Order: Chiropterage Book mentions: Sunrise, The First Battle

• Sunrise - Lionblaze notices a bat flying near a Twolegplace and tries to catch it. Birchfall says that he wished he'd caught it, and suggests then they could have all had a bite to eat. Lionblaze says it would been a very small bite since there were six of them.^[124]
• The First Battle - Jackdaw's Cry catches a bat after starving for several days, and promptly eats it.^[125]

Soricomorphs

Shrews (terrestrial)

Shrew (terrestrial) Description: Small, rodent-like creatures. Have gray to brown fur, long noses, small eyes and rounded bodies, About 9 cm long.[126] Highest level of classification: Family: Sorcidae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Bluestar's Prophecy, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, The Darkest Hour, Midnight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, Secrets of the Clans, Ravenpaw's Farewell, Moth Flight's Vision

• Into the Wild - Graypaw says that Sandpaw and Dustpaw must have eaten a shrew while on duty.^[127]
• Rising Storm - Cloudpaw is gone for a long time, making Fireheart anxious. When he comes back, he has a tiny shrew in his mouth, and Fireheart asks him how many cats that's going to feed.^[128]
• The Darkest Hour - When Firestar, Graystripe, and Ravenpaw sneak onto RiverClan land, they spot the bonehill, and Firestar notes that he can see shrew bones.^[129]

Water shrews

Water shrew Description: Large shrews with small ears, a waterproof coat and a tail with a line of stiff fur that acts as a rudder. About 15 cm long.[130] Highest level of classification: Genus: Neomys Book mentions: Dark River

• Dark River - Mistyfoot is seen stalking a water shrew. She catches it and her whiskers twitch with triumph as she walks back to her Clan. Hollypaw sees this and realizes how hungry RiverClan is getting.^[131]

Lagomorphs

Rabbits

Rabbit Description: Compact animals with long legs, oval-shaped heads, long ears and light brown fur with a lighter underbelly. About 35 cm long. [132] WindClan's main prey. Highest level of classification: Family: Leporidae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, Bramblestar's Storm, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, Sunset, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Battles of the Clans, Into the Woods, Return to the Clans, Shattered Peace, Moth Flight's Vision, Tigerheart's Shadow

• Into the Wild - Smudge mentions that wild cats that live in the woods eat live rabbits for breakfast,^[104] Firepaw catches a rabbit for Yellowfang,^[17] and Sandpaw and Dustpaw catch a plump rabbit for the elders.^[133]
• The Darkest Hour - Longtail claims that he saw Tigerstar kill a few rabbits to feed to a pack of hungry dogs. Later, Tigerstar leaves a trail of dead rabbits to the ThunderClan camp.^[134]
• A Dangerous Path - While Fireheart is talking to Graystripe on the border, Sandstorm pads over to them and drops a young rabbit at Fireheart's feet.^[135] Later, ThunderClan patrol finds remains of a scattered rabbit not far from camp, and Bluestar uses this as evidence to show WindClan have been stealing prey from ThunderClan.^[136]
• Moonrise - Crowpaw catches a rabbit and feeds it to Stormfur, Brambleclaw, Feathertail, and Squirrelpaw,^[137] Squirrelpaw brings a rabbit to a fresh-kill pile, Leafpaw and Sorreltail can't smell the usual scent of rabbit,^[138] and Squirrelpaw tells everyone that she can smell the scent of rabbits.^[139]

Hares

Hare Description: Long legs and ears similar to a rabbit. Fur is commonly an orange shade of brown. Very fast; can reach speeds of 45mph.[140] About 45 cm[141] Highest level of classification: Genus: Lepus Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Moonrise, Eclipse, Sign of the Moon, The Sun Trail

• Moonrise - In order to kill the mountain-cat, Sharptooth, the six Clan cats try to kill him with a mountain hare filled with deathberries.^[142]
• Eclipse - After the Clans have helped with the rogues, Hollypaw sees an eagle flying after a hare that is pelting in terror.^[143]
• Sign of the Moon - Jagged Lightning is seen dragging back an enormous snow-white hare.^[144]
• The Sun Trail - After being taught how to catch one, Jagged Peak successfully catches a snow hare, which is bigger than himself. ^[145]

Reptiles

Snakes

Snake Description: Long, thin reptiles with mottled skin in shades of dark and light brown that range from yellow to red. On average they are about 1.5 meters, although sizes may vary between species and such. ShadowClan sometimes catch these.[146] Highest level of classification: Suborder: Serpentes Book mentions: SkyClan's Destiny, Sunrise, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Into the Wild, Code of the Clans

• Into the Wild - Ravenpaw catches an adder, a type of snake (See more under Adders).
• SkyClan's Destiny - Harveymoon and Macgyver, two daylight-warriors, are seen killing a snake.^[147]
• Sunrise - Honeyfern is killed by a snakebite while sacrificing her life to prevent Briarkit from getting bitten.^[148] In order to stop anymore snake-provoked deaths in the hollow, Firestar devises a plan for the snake to eat a mouse stuffed with deathberries and thorns, however the plan fails,^[149] leaving the cats to constantly put stones across the area in which the snake had been living in.^[150]
• Cats of the Clans - Adderkit is killed by a snake bite, hence the name. Tallstar avenged the young kit's death by killing the snake shortly afterwards.^[151]

Adders

Adder Description: Venomous snakes with long scaly bodies. Greenish-brown color in females and steely gray in males. Body marked with indented zig-zag stripes. About 1 meter or longer in length.[152] Can be referred to as a viper. Highest level of classification: Family: Viperidae Book mentions: Bluestar's Prophecy, Into the Wild, A Dangerous Path, Midnight, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Sunrise

• Bluestar's Prophecy - Goosefeather tells Bluekit and Snowkit that Smallear is recovering from an adder bite.^[153]
• Into the Wild - An adder is caught by Ravenpaw on a hunting assessment when he is assigned to Snakerocks, impressing both Graypaw and Firepaw.^[154]
• A Dangerous Path - Fireheart takes a patrol to Snakerocks, and Thornpaw is eager to start hunting. Fireheart reminds him that there are adders around there, and Thornpaw becomes more wary.^[155]
• Cats of the Clans - Adderkit is killed by a snake bite, hence the name. Tallstar avenged the young kit's death by killing the snake shortly afterwards.^[151]

Lizards

Lizard Description: Small brown reptiles with mottled, leathery skin and low slung bodies. They also have long, whip-like tails and stuck-out legs. Many shapes and sizes, though the ones caught by Clan cats are shorter, around 15 cm[156] Highest level of classification: Suborder: Lacertilia Book mentions: Firestar's Quest, Yellowfang's Secret, Secrets of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Moth Flight's Vision

• Firestar's Quest - Firestar disturbs a lizard basking on a rock. As his shadow falls on it, the lizard whisks into a crack.^[157]
• Secrets of the Clans - Lizards are mentioned as one of ShadowClan's main prey.^[158]
• Code of the Clans - When the story of the four original leaders is being told, it is mentioned that the cats with a taste for lizards and snakes followed Shadow.^[159]
• Yellowfang's Secret - Yellowfang is said to have caught a lizard on her first hunt with Deerleap as an apprentice.^[160]

Rodents

Squirrels

Squirrel Description: Rodents with fluffy tails and small paws. Majority are gray, though black, albino and red ones exist. About 8.5 cm in length. [161] Highest level of classification: Family: Sciuridae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, Sunset, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Battles of the Clans, Into the Woods, Moth Flight's Vision

• Rising Storm - Thornpaw doesn't show much respect for a squirrel, and says it was so dopey, a kit could have caught it.^[65] Later, Cloudpaw catches a squirrel nearly as big as he is.^[162]
• Bluestar's Prophecy - A plump squirrel falls on top of Bluekit.^[163] Later, Bluepaw makes her first catch on her first day as an apprentice: a squirrel. The warriors and elders are noted to be especially impressed, and Bluepaw waits for a cat to pick it off the fresh-kill pile.^[164]
• Yellowfang's Secret - Two StarClan cats are seen chasing a squirrel up an oak tree.^[165]

Voles

Vole Description: Have very small, gray, stout bodies, a short hairy tail, a slightly round head and small ears and eyes. About 15 cm in length. [166] Highest level of classification: Subfamily: Arvicolinae Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, Sunset, Eclipse, Sunrise, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Forgotten Warrior, The Last Hope, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Warrior's Refuge, Bramblestar's Storm, Moth Flight's Vision

• Rising Storm - Fireheart asks Sandstorm whether he made the right decision into bringing Cloudpaw in the camp. Sandstorm answers that she remembers the day Cloudpaw caught his first prey. He was just a tiny kit, but he went out in a blizzard to catch a vole. Afterward, he seemed proud, and looked like a Clan cat, born and bred.^[167]
• A Dangerous Path - Cloudpaw takes a vole from the fresh-kill pile and angrily complains to Fireheart about its small size.^[78] Later, while on patrol, Longtail instructs Swiftpaw to practice listening for mice and voles.^[168] When the cats come back from patrol, Fireheart eats a vole that Sandstorm saved for him.^[169]
• The Last Hope - Briarlight is excited when she jabs a vole from the fresh-kill pile.^[170]
• Warrior's Refuge - Millie catches her first vole.^[171]
• The Sun Trail - Bumble and Turtle Tail are shown sharing a vole together in the ferns.^[172]
• Crookedstar's Promise - When Crookedkit is with Fleck, Mitzi, and her kits, Fleck gives him a live vole, and urges him to kill it. Crookedkit mentions it is a strange tasting mouse, but Fleck corrects him, telling him it is a vole. Fleck tells him that they should bring it back to Mitzi. ^[173]
• Bramblestar's Storm - Purdy attempts to joke around by saying he has eaten too many voles. ^[174]

Water voles

Water vole Description: Small rodent with a short nose and tail and dense brown fur. About 25 cm in length.[175] Usually prey of RiverClan, but also is found on ThunderClan territory, often near water sources. Highest level of classification: Genus: Microtus Book mentions: Firestar's Quest, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, Dark River, Night Whispers, Secrets of the Clans, Cloudstar's Journey, Moth Flight's Vision

• Fire and Ice - Graystripe falls into the river while trying to catch a water vole. He later gets slightly annoyed at Fireheart for distracting him from his catch.^[176]
• A Dangerous Path - Cloudpaw and Swiftpaw sniff at a water vole hole, waiting in anxiety for it to pop out.^[177]
• Dark River - Cinderpaw says that she caught four water voles while she, Hollypaw, and Mousepaw were being assessed.^[178]

Mice

Mouse Description: Small brown rodents with long, naked tails, whiskers, large ears and prominent dark eyes. About 10 cm in length.[179]Found on every Clan territory. Highest level of classification: Genus: Apodemus Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Forest of Secrets, Rising Storm, A Dangerous Path, The Darkest Hour, Midnight, Moonrise, Dawn, Starlight, Twilight, Sunset, The Sight, Dark River, Outcast, Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Forgotten Warrior, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Code of the Clans, Battles of the Clans, The Lost Warrior, Warrior's Refuge, Warrior's Return, Into the Woods, Escape from the Forest, Return to the Clans, Shattered Peace, A Clan in Need, The Heart of a Warrior, After the Flood, Moth Flight's Vision

• Into the Wild - Rusty is about to catch a mouse when his bell jingles and the mouse gets away.^[180] Later Firepaw catches his first prey: a mouse.^[181]
• A Dangerous Path - Brightpaw is seen eating a mouse while Cloudpaw asks her to go on a hunting patrol with him.^[78] Later, Longtail instructs Swiftpaw to practice listening for mice and voles, while Fireheart spots a mouse nibbling on a seed in some brittle grass stems and kills it.^[168]
• The Darkest Hour - Sorrelkit tries to catch a mouse and attempts to go hunting, but ends up following Darkstripe, meeting with Blackfoot. However, Darkstripe spots her, and feeds her deathberries in an attempt to keep her silent.^[182]

Wood mice

Wood mouse Description: Look like normal mice but have longer, larger ears and a long, narrow snout. Highest level of classification: Genus: Mus Book mentions: Into The Wild, Fire and Ice, The Sight

• Fire and Ice - Brackenpaw stalks and catches a wood mouse,^[183] and Fireheart tells Graystripe about it.^[184]

Rats

Rat*[185] Description: Small rodents with long bald tails and fur that ranges from gray-brown through black. About 25 cm in length.[186] Highest level of classification: Genus: Rattus Book mentions: Tallstar's Revenge, Crookedstar's Promise, Firestar's Quest, SkyClan's Destiny, Into the Wild, Fire and Ice, Rising Storm, Moonrise, Dawn, Outcast, Fading Echoes, The Sun Trail, Secrets of the Clans, Cats of the Clans, Warrior's Return

• Rising Storm - A disease spread by the rats of Carrionplace breaks out in ShadowClan, killing many cats, Nightstar and Cinderfur being among them.^[187]
• Midnight - The cats on the journey are attacked by rats near a trash dump in a big Twolegplace. Tawnypelt gets an infected bite on her shoulder, and limps painfully for most of the time, but Squirrelpaw and Midnight heal her.^[188]
• The Sun Trail - While stopping for a rest as they follow the sun trail, Jagged Peak and Moon Shadow are shown bringing back a small brown bird, and a rat almost the size of a kit.^[189]

Insects

Beetles

Beetle Description: Shiny, wide-bodied, black insects with black legs. Highest level of classification: Genus: Coleoptera Book mentions: SkyClan's Destiny

• SkyClan's Destiny - Nightfur tells Mousefang that they could still find mice and beetles to eat in the gorge when ancient SkyClan ends.^[190]

Worms

Earthworms

Earthworm Description: Slender, long, soft bodied invertebrates that burrow into the ground. Highest level of classification: Genus: Oligochaeta Book mentions: Goosefeather's Curse

• Goosefeather's Curse - During the hard leaf-bare, Cloudberry offers to share Goosefeather worms that were dug up by Rabbitpaw.^[191]

Quotes

Notes and references